The Nordschleife and VLN community is mourning the loss of one of its most enduring figures. Andreas Schall, a stalwart of the Nordschleife for more than half a century, passed away on April 22, 2026, at the age of 87.

Schall’s association with motorsport in the Eifel began in the late 1960s, making his debut at the Rallye Ulm in 1967 before turning to focus on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife two years later. Over the decades that followed, he became synonymous with long-distance racing, building a reputation for his consistency and precision.

One of the earliest demonstrations of his talent came in 1973, when he competed in a gruelling 36-hour event, completing 34 hours of driving alongside just one co-driver in a Mercedes-Benz 280 E. His career reached a defining phase in the early 1980s when he joined what is now known as the NLS. Schall would go on to leave an incredible mark on the championship.

80 wins with son Ralf Schall

The German finished runner-up in the 1988 standings and collected 98 class victories, placing him fourth on the all-time list. Remarkably, 80 of those victories were achieved with his son Ralf, whom he regularly competed with from 1990 onwards. The first race of the NLS season of 1994 marked their first start together in the DTM Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evo II.

The conditions at their debut were typical for the Nordschleife with heavy snowfall. The father-and-son duo managed to celebrate an overall win, marking Ralf’s first class win of his career. The victory of 1994 is the one Ralf still cherishes the most.

The duo became a familiar and respected presence in the paddock, turning Schall into a fixture of the series. In addition to his class successes, Schall also claimed five overall race wins.

VLN mourns

Andreas’ name will continue to live on in the Eifel, as the next generation is already contributing to his legacy. His granddaughter Janina is now active in NLS, while grandson Matteo is competing in karting.

In a statement from NLS, managing director Mike Jäger paid tribute to Schall: “He was a quiet presence, but one that carried great weight. His composure and straightforward manner made him a valued member of our community for decades. He will be deeply missed.”

Schall formally stepped away from racing in 2019, marking the occassion with a farewell lap ahead of the DMV Münsterlandpkal. He drove his black Ford Escort RS 2000 one last time over the Nordschleife, accompanied by Ralf in an Opel Astra V8 Coupé.

Concludingly, the statement announces a funeral service on Thursday, April 30, at 11:00 a.m. in Andreas’ hometown Dornstadt, followed by a gathering to celebrate his life and accomplishments. Family, friends and members of the racing community are invited to pay their respects.